Non-Governmental Organizations
June 22, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Non-Governmental Resources
The organizations and links below are simply resources for you to find more information, research and statistics about drugs, drug abuse, drug addiction and recovery, so that you can make your own informed and educated conclusions.
- An educational site focusing on addiction issues, especially opiate addiction and treatment.
- Dedicated to educating the public about the effects of alcohol, alcoholism and treatment.
- Publisher of prevention literature.
- Mental Illness, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, MIDAA(R), MICA.
- Internet Clearinghouse of resources, support and information.
- Information on alcohol and the social and health consequences of its misuse.
- National resource center and meeting place for communities working to reduce substance abuse and gun violence.
- Educational resource covering all aspects of alcoholism.
- Directory of mental health resources.
- Website that answers questions about methadone and has Methadone Anonymous support.
- Information on the cost of substance abuse throughout society and its impact on our lives.
- Provides education, information, help and hope in the fight against substance abuse.
- Dedicated to promoting public and professional recognition, awareness and understanding of Sexual Addiction, Sexual Compulsivity, and Sexual Offending.
- A resource for parents, educators and professionals on inhalant abuse.
- A website and that helps people locate addiction treatment centers and drug rehabilitation programs.
- Woodbury Reports presents resources for parents and professionals trying to help at-risk teenagers.
- Educational site about why teens begin using, what they are using, and how those drugs are affecting teens physically, socially, and mentally.
- Provides accurate information about alcohol and other drug addictions. Resource for anyone needing factual information about abused drugs.
Heroin Abuse and Addiction
March 5, 2010 by summit-admin
Filed under Drug Addiction and Abuse
Heroin (diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opoid drug synthesized from morphine, a derivative of the opium poppy.
Heroin is typically a white crystalline powder, although it is commonly adulterated with various additives and may appear off-white or even brown. Heroin is used as both a pain-killer and a recreational drug. It is listed as a controlled substance under Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Under the name diamorphine, it is a legally prescribed controlled drug in the United States.
The most common methods of illicit heroin use is intravenous injection, called "slamming" or "shooting up." Recreational users may also take the drug via snorting or smoking by inhaling its vapors when heated.
The withdrawal syndrome from heroin may begin within 6 to 24 hours of discontinuation of the drug. This time can fluctuate with the degree of tolerance as well as the amount of the last consumed dose. symptoms of withdrawal includes sweating, malaise, anxiety, depression, excessive yawning or sneezing, tears, insomnia, cold sweats, chills, severe muscle and bone aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps and fever.
Heroin addiction withdrawal can last several weeks to several months. Attempting heroin withdrawal or detoxification without professional assistance is not only dangerous, it is potentially lethal.
Heroin addiction withdrawal can cause serious physical and emotional trauma including stroke, heart attack and even death. Methadone is often used to ease heroin withdrawal, though this typically ends with the individual acquiring an addiction to another drug.
Recovery from heroin addiction involves detoxification as the initial step. Secondly, the individual needs to be willing to participate in a rehabilitation program. The highest documented success rates for heroin addiction recovery are through long-term drug rehabilitation treatment lasting at least 3 to 6 months.
